2.4 The iPod Software CD

The CD that comes with the iPod contains all the software you need to get up and iPodding in no time (Figure 2-5). (There's only one CD in the box of the latest iPod models. The iPod CD installer program is smart enough to figure out what kind of computer you're using and show you only the Mac or Windows installer on the disc.)

Figure 2-5. The typical iPod CD (for Mac, top, and Windows) contains the iPod installer software, a copy of iTunes or MusicMatch Jukebox, an electronic copy of the iPod instruction booklet, and a folder of samples of spoken-word audio files from Audible.com. An Acrobat PDF file of legal and regulatory information is also included for those who really love to read the fine print. (Installation CDs are constantly evolving creatures , so don't be alarmed if your screen looks different from those pictured here.)

2.4.1 The Macintosh CD

Early versions of the iPod CD included software for both Mac OS 9 and Mac OS X. But beginning with the 2003 iPods, Apple expects you to use Mac OS X 10.1.5 or later. Recent versions of the iPod CD come with iTunes 4; if that's not the version you have, download the latest version of iTunes at http://www.apple.com/itunes.

NOTE

If you're a stalwart Mac OS 9 fan, there's still hope. Some people have reported being able to get a new iPod to work with iTunes 2 and the latest version of Mac OS 9, although sometimes erratically. A few folks have come up with detailed workarounds (like those described at http://www.phaster.com/ipod_hacks), but they're not for the technically faint of heart. If you want to use a new iPod in all its glory ”with the iTunes Music Store, iSync, and other goodies described in this book ”it's best to do it with the operating system Apple recommends.

To install the software, insert the iPod CD into the Mac. If necessary, install the iTunes jukebox software from the CD or download the latest version from Apple's Web site.

The iPod has an operating system of its own, too (see Section 13.4.4), but you don't need to install it; it's already on your iPod. However, double-clicking the installer in the iPod Installer folder puts a copy of the iPod installer program on your Mac, so you'll have it handy if you ever need to reinstall the iPod's system software.

Along the way, you'll be asked for your iPod's serial number and your registration number.

When the software installer finishes, put the CD in a safe place. You'll need it if you ever need to reinstall your programs after a hard drive crash.

The first time you connect the iPod to the Mac, iTunes starts right up to greet it.

2.4.2 The Windows CD

If you have a PC, the software installer starts automatically when you insert the CD. (If you or someone you love has turned off the CD auto-start feature on your PC, open My Computer, and then open the icon for the CD-ROM drive. Locate and double-click the Setup.exe program on the disc; you can see this icon in Figure 2-5 at the bottom. Finally, click the Install button to kick-start the installation process.)

The installer gives you all the necessary iPod drivers, plus a handsome piece of jukebox software to organize your music and download it to the iPod:

• iTunes for Windows . This free software is arguably the best jukebox software available for Windows. It gives you access to Apple's online $1-a-song music store (Chapter 6) and does a beautiful job of organizing, searching, and playing your tunes (Chapter 4).

  There are only two reasons why you wouldn't want to install iTunes. First, it requires Windows 2000 or XP, and you might have something earlier. Second, you might already be using MusicMatch Jukebox ”and love it.

  Fortunately, iTunes isn't your only option.

• MusicMatch Jukebox Plus . If you're using an earlier version of Windows, or you're already using MusicMatch and you're perfectly happy there (and don't intend to use the iTunes Music Store), you're in luck. MusicMatch can also talk to, and work with, the iPod ”and it, too, is free. Chapter 5 shows you how to use it.

  NOTE

  If your CD came with only MusicMatch Jukebox and you'd prefer iTunes, go to http://www.apple.com/itunes and grab yourself a copy of the latest version for Windows.

  When you install MusicMatch, you have to type in the serial number from the sleeve of your iPod's CD (if, indeed, your CD came with MusicMatch Jukebox; the latest iPod CD doesn't). It's responsible for turning the free version of the software to the full version called MusicMatch Jukebox Plus, which includes a speed bump of 25 percent when ripping CD tracks to MP3 format and other goodies for working with CDs.

  NOTE

  If MusicMatch asks whether you want to check its Web site for an updated version, decline the favor. Newer versions may not work with the iPod unless you do some plug-in tinkering ; check with the Apple or MusicMatch Web site before proceeding. When in doubt, stick with the version that came on your iPod CD, which is specifically designed to work with Windows-based iPods. Version Hell details on Section 5.1.

  By the way, you should note that the iPod can sync with only one program. You must commit to either iTunes or MusicMatch Jukebox ”the sooner the better. If you download and install iTunes after you install MusicMatch Jukebox, the iPod will automatically switch to iTunes with the next sync, and the songs you import from then on will go into the iTunes Music folder.

  If you decide that you really liked MusicMatch Jukebox better, you'll have to uninstall iTunes and reinstall the MusicMatch software. See Section 5.1 for details on that afternoon of fun.

2.4.3 A Windows Note for Current iPod Models

Back in the Olde Days of the iPod (2002), Macintosh and Windows iPods were preformatted at the factory and sold separately as Macintosh iPods or Windows iPods.

Although you might never suspect it, however, all 2003 and later iPods come out of their boxes formatted for Macintosh. When you run the setup program on a Windows PC, behind the scenes, it actually reformats your iPod's hard drive for Windows. See Figure 2-6 for details.

Figure 2-6. It's not quite as dramatic a moment as watching a butterfly emerge, but the transformation of a brand-new iPod into a Windows iPod is beautiful in its own right. Top: The installer asks whether you want to "configure" the iPod ”that is, reformat it with the Windows FAT32 disk-formatting scheme. Bottom: The iPod set-up process offers you the chance to install iTunes on the PC.